HOW TO DONATE: If you would like to donate to this event, mail checks to 3101 Callis St., Victoria, 77901.

Eight Crossroads churches will ring in the new year with a mission to feed the hungry.

The Rev. Montari Morrison of Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Victoria said the churches have arranged for a theatrical New Year's program, "The Watch Night Service," to raise money for the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent. The event will be at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Edna.

"A lot of African-American Baptist churches would normally do this anyway on their own. It's our way of watching one year leave and another year come in," Morrison, 31, said. "What's unique about this event is that it's a combination of area churches coming together for a worthy cause."

This New Year's Eve, Morrison's church joins St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church, New Mt. Pleasant Berean Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Mt. Salem Missionary Baptist Church, all of Victoria, and two Edna churches, Faith Temple Church of God in Christ and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, to host the event.

Beginning at 9:30 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist, the service features an areawide gospel choir performing some of the season's finest Christian music.

Guest speaker the Rev. Dr. Donald Burgs, of Katy, will lead the holiday sermon.

Gospel comedian Stacy Anderson, who Morrison said is guaranteed to move the audience to a roaring laughter, will also perform.

"This is all about fellowship, trying to bring about a spirit of teamwork and Christian camaraderie," he said. "We want to show that we're not a bunch of stand-alone churches but that we're working together because we care about the community."

A love offering will be collected during the program, and all proceeds generated from the event will be donated to the Food Bank.

Last year, the churches raised more than $1,000 for the victims of Superstorm Sandy. Morrison said he hopes they can raise at least that much for the food bank.

"What we're asking is that all those who are there give from the heart. And if they can't give money, canned goods are welcome," he said. "We'd be happy to be the vessel that gets those gifts to the food bank."

Morrison said he and the pastors of the each of the churches welcome anyone from the community to attend the New Year's celebration.